Prep football: JV call-ups have been key during Marin Catholic's run to state

Two weekends ago, in a crucial postseason high school football game, Marin Catholic's Johnny MacLean stepped in front of a first-quarter pass for an interception to blunt an El Cerrito drive during the North Coast Section championship game. Later, teammate Jared Lazor did likewise, with his fourth-quarter interception setting up the Wildcats for a last-minute field goal which gave them a victory.

Then Saturday night, Billy Alten grabbed the spotlight for a while with a 25-yard touchdown catch that gave Marin Catholic its first lead of the night against Sutter. Not to be outdone, Lazor followed three plays later with an interception that set up the Wildcats for another touchdown in a 23-7 victory that sent the team to the state championship game, where Marin Catholic will face Madison (San Diego) on Saturday afternoon in Carson.

The postseason heroics of defensive backs MacLean and Lazor and wingback Alten would be worthy achievements for any athlete. But they are perhaps even more noteworthy given that none of the three sophomores were even on the Marin Catholic varsity when the season began.

"I was the JV quarterback, playing quarterback for the first time and I was just kind of focused on that," MacLean said. "And then all of this happened; it's crazy. I was kind of surprised (to be promoted), but I just embraced it and was determined to work hard."

MacLean and Alten spent three games with the Marin Catholic junior varsity squad before being promoted to the varsity for the Wildcats' MCAL opener against Justin-Siena. For Lazor, the call from varsity coach Mazi Moayed didn't come until several weeks later, as the Wildcats prepared to face Drake.

In each case, the players didn't have to wait long to get onto the field. MacLean and Alten saw action against Justin-Siena — Alten handled the ball on offense a season-high seven times in the game with five carries and two receptions — and Lazor played the entire second half in his debut against Drake.

The season stats — Alten has 19 catches for 203 yards and two touchdowns and MacLean and Lazor have combined for a double-digit interception total — show just how big an impact the players have had.

"Farther in the future, I thought I could be here, like junior year," said Lazor, who played wingback on offense and safety on defense with the freshman squad before moving to linebacker with the JV this season after Alten moved up. "But sophomore year, I never expected that. It's such a privilege. I mean, it's crazy to be here."

Moayed said the trio has looked comfortable with the varsity since they arrived. He said their work in practice and in games has showed they have what it takes to help the team.

"He's just a phenomenal athlete overall," Moayed said of MacLean. "And the way he competed on the JV team — his competitive spirit — is what stood out. We figured, 'This guy can make plays anywhere.' With Lazor, he came up to compete for a spot because we had some depth issues because of injuries and he stood out right away at practice. He was able to work his way into the starting lineup and he never came off.

"Billy Alten, that's a guy who can start on either side of the football for us. He's a phenomenal athlete who can play all around. He can play running back, he can play receiver, he can play linebacker, he can play safety "... he's got tremendous skill and coordination. Heck, he can even throw the football."

While the three sophomores have plenty of pluses, there is also something missing that has helped them — fear.

Each of the three say they long ago got over any jitters associated with playing in big games with the varsity.

"I got in and got some action right away," Alten said. "It was really cool because the first week was hard because there were so many plays and variations of plays that I had to learn. Everyone helped me out and it made it easier for me to get in there with confidence. "... It was kind of like deer in the headlights for the first couple of games, but now I feel comfortable and I try to stay with that confidence to make me elevate my game."

"For my first varsity game, you have to be nervous," MacLean added. "But I was prepared; I wasn't too nervous because I've always felt pretty comfortable that we have a really good defense. If I make a mistake, other guys will pick me up."

Such confidence — and of course, ability — has pleased Moayed.

"For those guys to come up and be competing at the level they have been competing says a lot about those guys, especially in some of the games we've been in and those guys coming through," Moayed said. "Against some of the top teams, it's pretty incredible. "... We're never going to call somebody up and put them in harm's way. We're not just pulling ducks out blindly. We see certain qualities or traits that show a player can contribute, we'll give them a shot."

For the trio of sophomores, being given that shot has helped Marin Catholic move to within one victory of a state title.

"It's crazy fun," Lazor said. "Playing football with all these guys, it's always a great time out there. I'm not tired; football is still running through my blood, I'm craving every game, every play."

"I don't think anybody can expect this," added Alten when asked if he has been surprised at how things have worked out this season. "It's just kind of something that you can only hope for and work as hard as you can for. The desire this team has, they've brought that out of me. And it's a lot of fun."

High school football Division III final at the Home Depot Center in Carson Saturday: Marin Catholic (14-1) vs. Madison-San Diego (14-1), noon. TV: Comcast SportsNet California. Streaming audio from PlayOn Sports on marinij.com. Tickets: Price is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and they are available for presale at the Marin Catholic bookstore from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and from 7 a.m.-noon on Friday. They also will be sold at the stadium. Rooter bus: Seats on a free round-trip bus to the game will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The bus will depart Marin Catholic on Saturday at 4 a.m. and depart Carson 30 minutes after the postgame ceremonies. Sign-ups for the trip will be taken at the Marin Catholic bookstore from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and from 7 a.m.-noon on Friday.